Suddenly, though, that model has been reversed. After 20 straight losing seasons, the Pirates have built a playoff-ready roster using a surprising method: poaching key pieces from New York.

Pittsburgh acquired A.J. Burnett, a key cog in the starting rotation who never got comfortable in New York, in a trade with the Yankees before the 2012 season. Before this season, they convinced catcher Russell Martin to leave the Bronx and sign a two-year free-agent contract. Then in August, they made a deal with the Mets to bring in backup catcher John Buck and outfielder Marlon Byrd, who has three hits and three RBIs in the National League Division Series thus far. (The series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 coming up Wednesday.)

The New York connections don't stop there. Mark Melancon, the Pirates' premier setup man, pitched for the Yankees in 2009 and 2010. Outfielder Jose Tabata, who hit .282 in 308 at-bats this season, began his career as a Yankee farmhand before landing in Pittsburgh via a 2008 trade. And rookie starter Gerrit Cole, who held the Cardinals to one run over six innings in Game 2 of the NLDS, was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the 2008 draft, but declined to sign and was scooped up by Pittsburgh three years later.

"It's nice to spread the wealth," Byrd said. "It makes baseball more competitive. It makes people want to watch baseball."

These playoffs have shown once again that having money is no guarantee of success. The Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians all rank in the bottom 10 in baseball in payroll, and managed to reach the postseason, while top-10 payroll teams like the Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Rangers and Angels all fizzled out.

Systematic changes to baseball's economic structure, including revenue sharing, have increased parity around the league. Meanwhile, the New York teams are suffering from the aftereffects of bloated budgets: The aging Yankees are looking to get under the $189 million luxury-tax threshold, while the Mets have slashed nearly $50 million from their payroll since 2009 and continue to deal with financial troubles.

As a result, the Pirates have been able to add players they wouldn't have in the past.

"When you need to go get a guy now, you're able to do it," Buck said. "That's definitely benefited the Pirates in this case."

But that doesn't mean the Pirates are suddenly able to take the Yankees' best players and pay them monster salaries. Baseball still has its haves and the have-nots. Instead, the Pirates have built their core through their own system. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the favorite to win National League MVP, was a Pirates first-round draft pick. So was third baseman Pedro Alvarez, whose 36 home runs this season tied for the NL lead.

The difference is the Pirates are now able to add midrange players from the outside to supplement their young talent. They paid Burnett $8 million this season (the Yankees paid $8.5 million). They signed Martin for $17 million over two seasons.

Previously, the Pirates' homegrown players would have gone to waste. Under the guidance of general manager Neal Huntington, the franchise is now able to build around them.

"I knew there was talent," Martin said. "I knew they had good pitching. I knew they had some young position players that were really blossoming. It was a good time to go."

The question now becomes whether the Pirates will be able to attract other veterans to come aboard. The players seem to think so. When asked if he has seen willingness in recent years among veterans to consider smaller markets, Burnett nodded and responded, "100%."

Based on how this postseason has gone, Pittsburgh certainly looks like a desirable destination. The atmosphere at PNC Park has been more like college football than baseball. Melancon said seeing these crowds "is going to be huge for free agents."

That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: The players who have taken the plunge are sold.

"When guys ask me about Pittsburgh, I'll say, it's a great place to play," Byrd said. "If you can come, come."

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